Deutsche Telekom and iPass Inc. last week announced their partnership to create WiFi Mobilize, a new network services exchange for in-country and international roaming services. The exchange is designed to help carriers meet the accelerating demand from their customers for data services on smartphone and tablet devices, and to optimize their network investments. The partnership will provide a solution for new data offload, international roaming, and inter-standard traffic management services for GSM, CDMA and WiFi operators.

Mobile broadband data volumes are soaring due to the phenomenal growth in 3G-enabled devices and smartphones. This puts intense pressure on limited network capacity and spectrum, and has raised the demand for WiFi roaming services. For Deutsche Telekom the rationale is simple: Carriers need this capability to deliver a great customer experience and to resolve their issues of performance, bill shock and inconsistent access. The integration of a global WiFi proposition into a carrier's portfolio is a logical next step in the development of seamless data services.

"WiFi has re-emerged as an essential service for network access," said Michael Wilkens, Senior Vice President International Businesses (IBU) at Deutsche Telekom. "Through this partnership we are in a unique position to provide an industry platform and enable a marketplace in the carrier's world for the global exchange of WiFi traffic and inter-standard roaming, helping our third party operators meet the expectations and satisfy end user demand."

"As more and more data moves to the cloud, users expect to be always on, and always connected. Yet the complexity of standards and relationships puts excessive burden on the users," said Evan Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer at iPass. "With iPass Open Mobile, Deutsche Telekom can deliver a service that enables carriers worldwide to seamlessly connect users to multiple networks, and deliver a compelling user connectivity experience."

The iPass Open Mobile Platform and iPass Mobile Network will provide the technology underpinnings for the new WiFi Mobilize service. The WiFi Mobilize services will allow operators to use the iPass Open Mobile Platform to provide authentication, settlement, reporting and other capabilities to enhance the end users’ experience and deliver value added services on top of their own WiFi and cellular transport infrastructure. WiFi Mobilize services will also offer an international roaming service leveraging the growing iPass Mobile Network with more than 500,000 commercial-grade WiFi hotspots.

WiFi Mobilize will be offered as part of the International Carrier Sales & Solutions (ICSS) portfolio, the international wholesale arm of Deutsche Telekom Group within the IBU organization. ICSS enables global voice communication, Internet connectivity to millions of eyeballs, global roaming and messaging on next generation platforms, as well as smart content distribution, media exchange, and virtual carrier solutions. ICSS's variety of solutions is based on Deutsche Telekom's international network, customers experience seamless service provisioning, including global reach and the highest quality.